Local filmmaker hopes 'Bitter End' is just the beginning

By John Watters

When David Thompson went to college in southern California a decade ago, the political science major vowed he would never pursue the art medium all of his friends were immersed in.

"I swore I would never get involved with film," said Thompson. "I wanted to write a novel, but at this time in my life, I don't have the time for that...so I found myself writing a screenplay because it was just easier."

Thompson and his wife, Shelly, own the Prodigal Son, a Hyannis coffee house and bar that presents an eclectic mix of entertainment from poetry slams to drum circles, bluegrass to ballads and just about everything else in between.

He was energized by the constant and varied mix of talent coming to his establishment.

"I figured I'm here at the Prodigal a lot of my time, so why not set the screenplay here," said the first- time screenwriter/producer.

Thompson plays a part in the film as well. It's a story about a group of year-round- thirtysomething Cape Codders who begin examining their lives.

"They are wondering how they got to the point they are at, and where will they go from there," said Thompson.

The Bitter End is a slice-of-life in a week around Halloween. The big scene is a party filmed at the Prodigal, filled with extras in Halloween costumes.

"It was a great night," said Thompson. "We got some great shots.

Thompson chose to make his movie now because his film director friend, Mike Timm, is staying on the Cape for the winter. Timm is writing his own scripts before moving out to Los Angeles this spring.

Timm, originally from Queens, N.Y., attended school at Rochester Poly Technical Institute. After graduation, he moved to Utah to pursue his life-long interest in moviemaking. The director said his love of the craft started when he shot his first "film" at age 12.

Speaking as he eats his supper -- pieces of French bread dipped into a tin of anchovies -- Timm tells his story of early success in his art.

"I interned at the Sundance Film Institute, and finally ended up on the staff for three years," he said. "After that, I started writing and directing commercials, which I won some awards for. I also did a few other film projects."

Timm said the challenge of working with a low budget was frustrating at first, but that it has also made him more creative.

"Film-making for me as a director is being able to use all of the tools available to cinematographically tell a story," said Timm. "This is more like guerilla film-making; it has allowed me to be very inventive. I'm doing more hand-held camera work than I ever have."

Thompson slides a beer over the bar to his director so he can wash down the last of his impromptu meal.

As he is finishing up, Timm learns a decision has been made that changes the evening's shooting schedule.

The plan had been to film a small scene between the lead actors, Dave O'Connor and Thompson, that would finish up a previously shot segment.

Thompson relays the bad news that two women dancers who were to have small roles in another scene hadn't contacted him in the afternoon. He feared he might lose contact with them if he didn't find them as soon as possible.

He felt it necessary to go to Zachary's nightclub in Mashpee, where they dance.

Both director and producer agreed that the small scene could be filmed another time, and that solidifying arrangements with the dancers was important for the next segment to be shot.

With minor, yet unforeseen, production problems arising all the time, Thompson sees the roughly 75-minute film taking about three months to shoot.

"It's been frustrating trying to do this on the small budget," he said. "I think we will shoot the whole film for around $1,000."

"I've been enjoying this more than I expected," continued Thompson. "We are hoping to have it premier at one of the local film festivals, such as Woods Hole, Nantucket or Provincetown. Even Sundance is beginning to accept film in digital format. We might just release it right on to the Internet."

"Maybe some one will see this and want us to do something else," he said. "In fact, I've already started to look at other people's scripts I'm considering for future projects."